KateCooke Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 I have only had my hens for less that a week and i'm getting a bit sick of poo. Dont get me wrong i knew they would poo in house and all over my garden but i was not prepared for the sheer amount of poo. I have 4 bantams, and their droppings are just all over. As I have two small children I have found myself walking round the garden twice a day trying to find the poo to scoop it up with a shuvel and using a yard brush to brush my patio. Can I ask for advice? Would people recommend keeping the Eglu and run on the grass or should i build a seperate area with wood chippings? If I use chippings do the is it easy to clean. I have already moved the Eglu around teh garden twice as the grass underfoot was getting covered thick in poo. I am sorry i know i am talking a lot about poo, but for teh last few days it has been teh bain of my life. I really want to work with the hens and live in peace and harmony within my small garden with my family but maybe i need some advice. Thanks Kate(poo sick) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 I'd make a permanent area for your cube, if your sick of the poo, theres some more information in the Eglu Cubes and Run section, *Here*. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Beaumont Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 Permanent site is the way to go. I use bark, which the girls like to scratch around in. The poo being heavier falls to the bottom, out of site and is naturally composted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sezra Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 I was also surprised by the amount of poo when I first go my chickens! We have a permanant run set up which we have filled with Aubiose. It is used as horse bedding and is ideal if you have a covered run. I know others use wood/bark chipping if there run is open. I do go in once a day and poo pick (as I call it) and when I let them out to free range, which is only at the end of the day for about an hour, I then go round the garden with my poo-per scooper! Its not fun but I must admit it doesn't bother me anymore, except when the OH moans that I have missed a bit! If you are looking to build your own run there is lots of good advice on here as I found out when building mine! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeears Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 I have 2 children and didn't want poo all over the garden - especially now, over the summer holidays!! We have a permanent run on wood chippings (soon to be getting a WIR, I hope) and we are so pleased that our decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldstar Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 When I got my girls I couldnt believe how big the poo was! I have a perminant site for my run with wood chip in. I had started by rraking it over every day, but soon learnt that as they scratch around it falls under the woodchip, so I dont worry about it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igobarefoot Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 The sheer volume of poo wasn't something I considered prior to getting our chooks - now its a big part of my daily routine! A permanent, covered WIR with aubiose on the floor will make your life a whole lot easier. I poo pick in there once a day and whatever I miss just gets absorbed and broken down by the aubiose - its amazing stuff! When the girls are free ranging and poo-ing all over the decking and grass, I hose it off. Probably no good at all for our water rates, but has worked wonders with a lovely lush looking lawn this summer! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateCooke Posted August 13, 2010 Author Share Posted August 13, 2010 Thanks everyone for your replies, i live in rented house so permanant run is not an option. I have an Eglu, can I ask anyone who has one, how they get inside run to "POO PICK". I am considering setting up a semi perm space on concrete at back of garden and I will then cover floor with wood chippings. A lot of people suggest that the poo falls to bottom of wood chip, but does this then smell?? Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlegs Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Hi Kate I do sympathise with your plight, chickens do poo alot but dont despair there are lots of solutions, its just a case of finding the right ones for you. I also live in rented accomadation but have a WIR, it really is the way to go if you can but if not adding things like bokashi bran to their food or, as I do placing a garlic clove in their water helps reduce smells. Woodchip is good you may find a sprinkling of powdered disinfectant such as bio dri on top keeps smells at bay. I started with a classic and run on a permanent base of woodchip on a mud base and used to lift the run and move it round a little over 90 degrees, to have a good clean up perhaps once a week and any used woodchip can be put in your council compost bin, just not too much or the bin men will complain As for kids I bought mine chicken poo shoes (crocs) easy to kick off by the back door and they can be washed, hope this helps! Regards Theresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perfectspace Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Kate - I'm having the same thoughts as you, having had our bantams just 8 days now - no one told me about me this much poo! However, to answer your question, we're definitley glad that we chose to put the onto a raised bed of bark chip. We used about 450 Litres of chip, and they love making little craters in it where they scratch down to the mud. The next day they've filled it in and they're digging somewhere else in the run. The rain washes the poo through the chip, and under the cover you can hose it through or help it on its way with a watering can.... But it seems to disappear quickly with their scratching anyway. If you're finding it difficult to manage on the grass then Wood / Bark chip is the way to go in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateCooke Posted August 13, 2010 Author Share Posted August 13, 2010 Think you are all right. Expense is increasing by the day. I have bought crocs for me and my 3 yr old. I have bought yard brush and little brush and shuvel. What is a WIR a lot of people refer to this. Wood chiop it is going to be I think. Have measured the area of slabs at back of garden and the area is too small, so i have two options: 1. On top of wooden decking that is not used, but will obviously need to waterproof underneath wood chip, would this work? 2. On the grass, would I then need a membrain between grass and wood chip or not? Help and advice please? Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Any one ? What is a WIR? Trudy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 I'm pretty certain WIR is a Walk In Run but whether it means the chickens can walk in and out or the humans can walk in and out I'm not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perfectspace Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 I think Walk In Run refers to a run where you yourself can walk in easily - like an aviary, where the Eglu is situated inside. More space for the chickens to roam around, but still enclosed. Kate - I would go for woodchip on top of the grass. The chickens will scratch down anyway, and stop any grass growing up through it. Here's what we did (pic). It took me and my 11yr old son a day to construct. Gravel Boards, some tannelised timber for stakes, mallet, spirit level, saw, hammer & galvanised nails, wood chip, green outdoor fence paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 A WIR is indeed a Walk In Run. Heres mine It does make life so much easier and can be any size you like, you can then clean them out in any weather and the girls have plenty of room to run around and play. If you have a covered run any type of horse bedding, easibed, auboise etc is the way to go. Magic stuff, dries out the poo and it practically dissapears. Theres a whole thread devoted to different types of WIRs have a look there for some ideas. and garlic powder in their food helps stop the smell too. its cheap as chips from animal stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perfectspace Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 That looks like the chicken equivalent of the Dorchester. I presume they can get a massage in there somewhere, and some Spa treatments.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateCooke Posted August 13, 2010 Author Share Posted August 13, 2010 Am loving everyone's advice, keep it coming as it is so helpful. Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 My oh my, Chick Wiggle! That is well and truly awsome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grb944 Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Im reading this with interest as I'm worried about my grass/mud run in the wet winter. Everyone is talking about covered runs..my books all say sunlight is very important for egg production and general health. I have just brought 4 extra 1 metre run extensiond for my cube..was planning to cover 2 and leave 2 open to elements to give them sunrays ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky D Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Chick Wiggle, that is awsome, awsome, awsome i am with envy as i'm sure my 2 girls would be if they saw that, i will be sending that pic to Santa for top of my wish list!!!! lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karena Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Chickwiggle - that WIR looks bigger than my house Can I move in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Any one ? What is a WIR? Trudy Thank you for the information on WIR now I know. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewels Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Oh wow chick wiggle your set up is totally amazing def chicken Hilton!!! My four girls have a cube and run and an extra run build around them that is half dirt and half shingle. The shingle does an excellent job of absorbing the poo and makes it easy to pick up. They seem to love it and scrit scratch around for ages. But looking at Chick Wiggle's set up I am getting bigger and better plans brewing. OH will not be impressed when I submit my plans to him tee hee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Im reading this with interest as I'm worried about my grass/mud run in the wet winter.Everyone is talking about covered runs..my books all say sunlight is very important for egg production and general health. I have just brought 4 extra 1 metre run extensiond for my cube..was planning to cover 2 and leave 2 open to elements to give them sunrays ! Sounds like a good plan but you can cover them with clear tarpaulin, ikea shower curtains or corrugated plastic but not sure if the right light gets through Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 The light does get through - although it is filtered. But don't forget light gets through the sides too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
